Electric circuits



Feb. 10, 1942. P, FOY

ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed Nov. 25, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 I i LWF. m fim a g a, g h b w 5 5 m i i M 2 p1 Patented Feb. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Patrick Foy, Chicago, In.

Application November 25, 1938, Serial No. 242,199

' 3 Claims.

My invention relates to an improved circuit for electric power consuming units, designed to protect the consuming units from injury to overloads or to an accidental overvoltage on the line.

With these objects in view the invention consists in the provision of a resistance unit preferably located adjacent the source of supply and adapted to protect the circuit or load as subsequently used. The invention contemplates dispensing' with the necessity of fuses and similar safety devices in view of the fact that the resistance unit employed may absorb the excess load if there should be a short circuit, or cushion the surge to the consuming units upon a sudden closing or completion of the circuit. The usual practice has been to interpose a fusible member An important factor in carrying out the pres-' ent invention is the complete insulation of the socket for receiving a lamp or other outlet device, and the employment of circuit closing means betwen the socket shell and a surrounding member connected to one of the supply wires.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved form of circuit arrangement which may be advantageously employed in a signal system such as directional indicators on automobiles, whereby a light or signal in the form of an indicator will disclose whether or not a main signal light is in operation and functioning properly.

Other objects and advantages will appearhereinafter.

The invention consists in the electrical circuit arrangement and combinations of parts and elements hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which;

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, mostly in section, of an initial distributing member or resistance unit; I

Fig. 2 ,is a bottom view, partly broken away, of the member shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partially in section, of a distributing member or resistance unit adapted to be applied to the original member shown in Fig. 1, showing the wiring system employed;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, of one of the lights or energy receiving members from the distribution assembly shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the contact connections taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a plan view of a form of circular distributing or resistance unit similar to the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the switch elements are arranged exteriorly of the element;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the distributing member shown in Fig. '7.

- Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of distributing member or resistance unit employing exterior switches; 1

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a vehicle signal circuit employing rear left and right turn signal lights and forward circuit completing lights preferably mounted upon the cowl board of an automobile and adapted to serve as indicating signal lamps showing whether the circuit is completed to either or both of the rear signal lights;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the right turn lights taken substantially on the line I l--l I of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a front view of the shown in Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings, the initial distributing ,member or resistance unit is shown as including an insulated base member l5 which has mounted therein a conducting cup or outer shell l6 having an inturned flange I], preferably mounted on the base member, and in the bottom of the cup I6 is an insulating disc i8. On this insulating disk there is provided an inner spaced lamp receiving socket I!) having an inturned flange 20. This arrangement is particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and it will be noted that the purpose is to insulate both the lamp receiving socket and the spaced cup or outer socket. The base member is provided with a center contact or terminal binding post 2| in the lamp receiving socket and feed wires 22 lead to this center contact and conducting cup l6. Feed wire 24 leads to center contact 2| and wire 25 is connected to the conducting cup [6 through binding contact 26. Feed wires 22 lead from the usual distributing block or multiple socket 23 which may receive electrical supply from plug construction 230. This portion, 22, 23, 23a is merely conven tlonal, as all that is necessary is that the hot wire from the source of supply be connected to the center contact 2! and the cold or return wire to the outer cup I 6. Mounted upon the inner lamp receiving socket I9 is a contact member 21 and the circuit is completed by manipulation of a rotatable switch member 28 having a switch knob 29. A cam portion 30 is adapted to contact member 2'! upon rotation of the switch element. Lamp 3|, having the usual filament 32 is provided with center contact 33 and shell contact 34 on the lamp base.

Fig. illustrates a distributing member, re-' sistance unit or element having a threaded plug 35 and outward turned flange 35, all mounted upon an insulated distributing member-3t which may be of cross-shape which. preferably has an,

insulated, cover 370. A conductor (lit connects flange 36 to a center binding post it and an. insulated cover ll! is provided for the conductor strip or bar 38, the central contact it is con nected to a conductor extension it, thus creating a central distributing point it. A multiple conducting strip 44 of T-shape or otherwise may be connected to any number of sockets or outlets. Socket shell 45 has a central contact it and is adapted to receive the usual lamp 4i having filament 48 and central contact 49. Lamp M has the usual shell contact portion 50. A single conducting strip 5| is provided to complete the cir cult and for purposes of illustration there is illus,

trated a single socket in one switch position and a double socket contact in a second switch position. It will be understood that this may be varied as desired or as might be required. The single socket has the usual shell 52 and the central contact 53, lamp 54, filament 55, central contact 56 and shell contact 51.

A conductor 58 leads from the first shell of the multiple socket to the second shell of the multiple socket and conductor 59 leads from the second shell of the multiple socket to binding post 60; Conductor wire 6! leads from the shell of the single lamp socket to binding post 52. An operating switch 63 is adapted to close the circuit for either the single lamp or single outlet in one direction of movement, and to close the circuit to the multiple outlets in the opposite direction of movement. Operating switch- 63 is pivotally mounted at 64 and arm 65 is adapted to close the circuit for the single light engagement with contact 56 through wire El to post 62. A conducting wire 68 leads from the central binding post 39 to pivot connection 64. Double arm 88 is utilized for completion of the multiple lamp circuit through multiple lamp switch contact and wire H leading from binding post 50 to contact 10. A stop pin 12 may be provided to limit the throw of the switch in either direction and the switch is manipulated by a wing l3.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 there is provided a contact plug 14 on the collar or outer shell lEoz. This contact plug is connected, for illustrative purposes, to a first take-off wire I5 for lights. A second take-off wire 16 is connected to contact member 2': on the lamp receiving socket shell shown in Fig. 8. A light TI is representative of lighting or similar units which may be included in this circuit which is opened and closed by means of switch 18. A take-ofl wire 19 may be employed for a motor, for example, or other cur rent uses, and a second take-01f wire 80 completes the circuit to motor 8|, controllable by switch 82. Referring to Fig. 9, a plunger switch 83 may be 'or right turn indicating lights.

cameos conveniently employed, and this type of switch is considered better adapted for the present form of electrical connections and mountings. Switch 83 carries a stem 84 having transverse pins 05 adapted to engage or disengage a recessed plate 86. This type of switch employs a compression spring held by a spring retaining collar 81 and is operated by knob 89. The circuit is closed through the contact at the inner end of stem at with the binding contact or post 26. The other elements similar to like elements in Figs. 7 and 8- are correspondingly numbered. The current enters from the line'22 through 24 to 2!, thence through filament 32, contact 34, shell 29, then through 21, Hi and 18 to theconsuming unit 71, then through line 15. to binding post 25 which is insulated from the shell l0. With the parts in the position illustrated no current flows, but by-turning the switch button 89 the pins 85 enter'the depressions in 86 permitting the-spring to force the stem 85, which is in electrical contact with the shell it, into engagement with 26, thereby completing the circuit through 81, 84 to shell l6 and thence through conductor 25, which is electrically connected ,to shell I6, to the line 22.

Figs. 10, 11 and l2-illustrate an automobile signal system for indicating left and right turns wherein there is included in the circuit indicating lights preferably mounted upon the cowl, both for the purpose of indicating which of the directionalrear signal lights is operated and also for showing whether the circuit is complete. For illustrative purposes, an insulated base 90 has mounted thereon a branch conductor element St and there is also provided a cover insulation 92. A branch conductor 93 leads to the central contacts 94 of the rear left and right turn lights 3|. The indicating lights are carried in sockets 95 each having an outer shell 96 and an inner contact element 97. An inner contact 98 is provided for either the left or right turn indicating lights and a connection 99 is provided on the front left A conducting wire I00 leads from each of the sockets 95 to a corresponding contact 99. There is provided an outer shell l0! on the front indicating lights and also an inner shell I02. A conductor I03 leads to the front left turn indicating light and wire I04 to the right front indicating light.

The switch is provided, with a left turn contact I05 and a right turn contact I06, both of these contacts being insulated from the metallic frame I01. A switch arm I08 is provided for selectively closing the circuit to either the left or right turn indicating lights. Pivoted crank pin I09 is provided for the switch, grounded to the fram [01, and there is also provided an operating knob H0 mounted onpin I09. The switch-has a left turn leaf Ill and a right turn leaf H2, adapted to be alternately and selectively actuated by the switch member. For illustrative purposes, the usual storage battery I 13' is shown.

Thus in the operation of the various devices and circuits in the forms and exemplifications shown and described, the distributing unit includes an electric circuit which comprises an initial resistance unit or distributing member connected to an output circuit with ultimate consuming units or appliances of any desired char acter, the initial resistance unit being connected in series with the output circuits so that when operated by connection or through the medium of a switch, as previously described, said current consuming units will be protectedfrom harm by the resistance unit or distributing member and the objections heretofore outlined overcome.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A protective unit for an electric circuit comprising a base, a pair of substantially concentric shells of conductive material mounted on said base and insulated from the same and from each other, one of said shells forming a socket for a resistance unit, a resistance therein, an insulated central contact member for said resistance unit,

means for connecting said contact member to the supply wire of a supply line, means on the resistance supporting shell for connecting a conductor to a consuming unit, means on the other shell for connecting the return conductor from said consuming unit, means for connecting the last mentioned shell to the return wire of the supply line and a switch interposed in the return wire.

, member to the supply wire of a supply line,

2. A protective unit for an electric circuit, commeans on the resistance supporting shell for connecting a plurality of conductors to a plurality of consuming units, means on the other shell for connecting the return conductors from said consuming units, means for connecting the last mentioned shell to the return wire of the supply line and a switch in each of said return wires between the respective consuming unit and the outer shell.

3. A protective unit for an electric circuit comprising a base, inner and outer concentric shells of conductive material mounted on said base and insulated from the same and from each other, the inner shell forming a socket for a resistance unit, a resistance unit therein, an insulated central contact member for said resistance unit, means for connecting said contact member to one wire of a supply line, means on the inner shell for connecting a conductor to a consuming unit, means on the outer shell for connecting the return conductor from said consuming unit, and means for connecting the last mentioned shell to the other wire of the supply line and a switch in said last mentioned shell for controlling the connection between the same and said other wire of the supply line. PATRICK FOY. 

